Piano Hinges

[x3 skier]

Finishing up the Empennage on my Onex Tail Kit.

What's some ways to secure the hinge pin on the elevator and rudder? The Cherokee I fly just bends over the ends of the pin for the hinges but I was wondering of others used a different method.

Thanks

[onex28]

The plans call for cotter pins. See ONX-T01, upper left hand corner, Section R-R

[x3 skier]

Thanks. I was just wondering if there were other methods that had been used.

Cheers

[x3 skier]

BTW, the plans for the tail kit do not come with a ONX-T01 drawing. If you could email the piece with Section R-R, I'd appreciate it.

rick@skibuff.com

Heers

[peter anson]

Here's the method I used for anchoring all the control surface piano hinge pins on my Sonex:
http://www.ansoneng.com/hinge-pin/ (You'll have to follow the link. Can't get a picture to appear for some reason.)
Make a 90 degree bend at the end of the pin. Cut a small tab from 0.025" Al and form a joggle in it to match the folded end of the pin. Retain it with the next rivet along the spar. They are easy to make, easy to inspect and can be removed by drilling out the retaining rivet - also easy in my view. The one shown in the photo is looking up at the aileron pin.

Peter
Sonex 894
287 hours

[wlarson861]

I used the plan method of drilling a small hole through the last lug of the hinge and putting in a cotter pin. the hinge pin needs to be a little short to do this but it works well. This was done for the ailerons,flaps,rudder and elevator hinge pins. If you are working from the tail kit plans and continue on,the full plans should have the call out for the drill size and correct cotter pin to use. For the trim tab hinge I used the bent end hinge pin secured with safety wire to the trim tab.